Paper-converting machine



Sept. 6, 1927. Q 7 1 1.423

7 C. OJGAMMELL PAPER CONVERTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 14, 1925 e Shets-Sheet 1 asmn/mbdv ff 26/ I I a/w7 Sept. 6,1927.

C. O. GAMMELL PAPER CONVERTING MACHINE F led Jan. 1925 6 Sheets-aneet 2 Sept. 6, 1927. ,64 23 C. O. GAMMELL PAPER CONVERTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 L u: zwwaa,

1,641,423 p 1927? c. o, GAMMELL PAPER CONVERTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Se t. 1927.

p c. o. GAMMELL PAPER CONVERTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 NAQ 1,641,423 p 1927' c. o. GAMMELL PAPER CONVERTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Sept. 6, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,641,423 PATENT OFFICE.

CLIFTON O. GAJDIELL, OF GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO A. L. NELSON, F GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN.

PAPER-CONVERTING MACHINE.

Application filed January 14, 1925. Serial No. 2,394.

This invention relates to paper converting machines and, in its mor'especific aspect, involves mechanism for folding a paper sheet suitably for a napkin.

6 The primary object of the invention is the provision of a machine comprising cooperat- 'm'g instrumentnlities whereby sheet mate rial from a parent roll,- in its passage through the machine, isfcut into pieces of uniform size, each piece folded a lurality of times, and finally deliveredin tie form of aharpoon' ordart-folded napkin, as shown and described innpplicants pending application Serial No. 723,413, filed June 30, 1924.

A further objec of the invention is to provide a device of this character wherein all the cooperating instrumentalities are positively actuated by a single source of power.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sheet folding machine which is durable in construction, composed of com .para tive ly few and simple parts, is continuous and automatic in its operation, and requires practically no attention on the part of the operator other than the providing of a new roll of aper and the. removal of the completely f0 ded napkins from the machine.

\Vith these and other objects in view, as will become apparent as the description proceeds. the invention consists of the novel features of construction, combinations of elements, and arran empnts of parts liercin-' after to be fully in the claims.

A full and complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from a consideration of the following detailed description taken iii-connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, it being understood that while the drawing shows a practical form of the invention, the latter is not confined to the showing thereof, but. may be changed and modified so long as such changes and modifications mark no: material departure from the salient features of the invention as hereinafter fully described and claimed. In these drawings: Figure 1 is a view in plan of a napkin folding machine constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

scribed and pointed out drawings;

F ig..2 is a view in side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a view in horizontal section, on the line 33, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in front elevation of the device;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 5-5, Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the feed roll drive;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in section taken on the line 77, Fig. 1, illustrating the cut-off mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a view in plan of the napkin prior to folding;'

Fig. 9 is a viewin plan of the sheet after the first fold;

Fig. 10 is a similar View after the second fold;

Fig. 11 is a similar view after the third fold; and I Fig. 12 is a similar view of a completely folded napkin,

.In the particular-embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying the reference numeral 1 designates, gene-rally a substantially rectangulzir metallic frame of the machine to which are secured or upon which are mounted the vurious elements of the machine. An auxili ary frame 2, includingspaeed arms 3, serves to support. the supply roll 4 of paper or other suitable material in such a osition thatthe sheet may be drawn there mm by cooperating rolls 5 and 6, these rolls being driven in a manner hereinafter to be described.

The machine, preferably and as shown, includes sheet cutting mechanism. folding mechanism zind delivery mechanism. I

Cut-0]? mechanism-.-Tl:e sheet, after its passage between the rolls 5 and G, is thereby pushed across a flat table 7, and cut oif mechanism (about to be described) is arranged in line with the roll 4 to cut the sheet into substantially square pieces of uniform size. This mechanism comprises a lower bed knife 8 (Fig. 7) which has one edge serrated and is stationary with respect to the table 7. A

"vertically movable knife 9 cooperates with the knife 8 to cutthe sheet of material. The knife 9 is similarly serrated and the serrations of. the two knives register for the cut-- ting operation. The knife 9 is carried by n frame 10 which, in turm is mounted on one extremity of an arm 11, the opposite extremity of which is fast on a rock-shaft-12, the latter being journaled in uprights 13 upstanding from the machine-frame 1. Fast on but dependin from the rock-shaft is a link 14 connecte to one end of an arm 15, tne opposite end being mounted at the upper end of a lever 16 .fulcrumed intermediate of its ends on a. shaft 17 suitably mounted on the machine-frame, the lower extremity of the lever'being -foot-shaped. The knife 9 is normally held in a raised position by means of a pair of springs 18, each spring having, one of its ends secured to the knife and its other end to a three-sided frame 19 upstanding from the machine-frame.

Preferably and as shown, means are provided for holding the sheet momentarily stationary during the cutting operation, and such means include a shoe 20 mounted at the lower end of a spring-actuated presser member 20 carried by the movable knifen. The shoe is adapted to engage the sheet and hold it against the stationary knife during the movement of the movable knife and thus insure proper and a clean-cut severing of the sheet.

Preferably and as shown, means are provided for. periodically actuating the structure, already described, for operating the movable knife and, incidentally, the sheetengaging member, such means including a cam carrier 21 and comprising a rotatable cam-shaft 22 on which are mounted a plurality of cams, one of which, 23, is positioned to engage'the foot-shaped extremity of the lever 16. Movement of the knife 9 is act-mm plished when the cam 23 engages the lever-- lti to rock the same on its fulcrum and thereby operate the arm 15, the link 14, the rockshaft 12, the arm 11, and the knife-carrying lrmne 10. By this action the movable knife. is depressed to engage the stationary knife and, incidentally, to cut the sheet. As the knife descends, the presser-mcmber 20 engages the sheet and holds it'momentarily and until the movable knife is returned to normal position under theact-ion' of the pair of springs.

Folding wwc/ranis2n.--Prcferably and as shown, the folding mechanism comprises a plurality of pairs of rolls, each pair being carried by alined shafts suitably journaled in the machine-frame, and each roll being positively driven in a manner to be described. Means are provided which cooperate with each pair of rolls .l'or tucking the sheet of material and starting its passage between the rolls which fold the sheet and carry it. forward.

First f01(l.--Th portion of the sheet when cut off lies across the table 7 and is in proper position, over the pair of cooperating horizontal rolls 2 and to be tucked there between through the slot in the table 7 by the first fold tucker 26. It will be observed that the rolls 24 and 25 are disposed at an angle of degrees with respect to the supply roll 4 in order that the sheet may be folded centrally substantially on a line connecting the diagonally opposite corners thereof. Preferably and as shown, the first tucker 26 comprises a transverse tuckingblade 27 carried by the ends of a pair of arms 28, the other ends of the arms being mounted on an oscillatory shaft 29 suitably journaled'in the frame 1 in such position that the blade 27 is disposed directly above the meeting line or bite ofthe two rolls 24 and 25. Preferably and as shown, the means for actuating this mechanism comprises a depending link 30 fast at its upper end to the shaft 29 and pivotallv connected to an arm 31 which haspivotal connection at its other end with the upper end of the leverarm 32. The lever-arm 32 is mounted intermediate its ends on the rock-shaft 17 journaled in the opposite sides of the frame 1.

The depending portion of the arm 32 is positioned so as to he engaged by the cam 34 which extends radially from the cam-shaft 22 and revolves therewith. Downward movement of the arms 28 and blade 27 is ac-,

complished when the cam 34 by its engagement with the lever-arm 32 rocks the shaft 29 through the connection established by the arm 31 and the link 30. By this action the blade 27 forces the center of the sheet. between the rolls 24 and 25 which crease or fold the sheet and carry it downward. lhe tucker-blade 27 is normally maintained in retracted position, with the arms 28 in ongagcment with the horizontal portion of an upstanding three-sided frame 3:"), by means of a. coil spring 36 having one of its ends secured to the frame 1 and its other end to the lower end of the link 30. The napkin which. after its passage between the rolls 2% and 25, is in the form shown in Fig. 8. is guided by the spaced vertical plates 37 to a position in which its folded side rests upon the horizontal supporting surface 38 directly before the vertically disposed rolls 39 and 40. The apex of the napkin in this position alincs with the dividing line between the two rolls 39 and 40, and the napkin is in position to be folded a second time.

Second fold-Preferably and as shown. the mechanism for producing the second fold in the napkin comprises a transverse tucker-blade 41 carried by the free ends of a pair of spaced swing arms 42 which are pivotallv mounted at their outer ends on a vertical shaft 43. the arms being of such length as to position the blade in substantial alinement with the meeting line or bite of the rolls 39 and it). A spiral spring 44. having one of its ends secured at an intermediate point to one of the arms 4-2 and its other end fast to a bracket 45,'sslves to yieldingly maintain the blade 41 in retracted position with the arms 42 engaging the stationary stop frame 46.

Means for periodically moving the blade into position to direct the sheet between the ,rolls 39 and 40 is provided, and comprises an operating arm 47 having its ends pivot- ,a'lly connected respectively to an intermediate point on one of the arms 42 and to the short arm 48 of the bell-crank-lever 49, which is pivotally mounted on the frame 1, as at 50, in such position that its longer arm 51'will be engaged by a cam 52 carried by the cam-shaft 22 upon each revolution of the latter.

The sheet or partially folded napkin, whichnow has'two folds and is in the form shown in Fig. 10, is fed by the aid of gravity through the chute 52 to a position, with its bottom edge at an angle of degrees from the horizontal, directlybeforethe cooperating rolls 53 and- 54, preparatory to the making of the third fold.

-- ii the mechanism for making the third fold comprises a tucker-blade 55 mounted upon Third fold.-.-Prefer'ably andas shown,

,gsata 57ehaving suitable bearing on the ach'i-ne-frame 1. An arm 58,'fast at one .e'n'd-to-the shaft '57 and extending radially "therefrom in a planelsubstantially at right angles -to the plane of the arms 56, carries adjacentits outer end a depending cam-arm 59 which is adapted to be periodically engaged by a cam 60 mounted on the camshaft 22. A spring 61 having one of its ends secured intermediately to one of .the arms 56 and its other end secured to a stationary part of theframe, serves to ,yieldinglyflhold thetuckerblade in retracted. position with the arm'56 in engagement with the stop 62. Upo'iiengagement of the cam which the cam-arm 59', the free end of the arm 58 is forced inwardly, thus rot'ating the shaft'57,- which rotation inoves the blade 55 into engagement with the n'apkin to tuck the latter between the rolls 53 and 54 which fold and feed it onward. The napkin, which is now in the form shown in Fig. 11, passes by gravity down the chute 63 to a position, with its apex down and its sides each forming an angle of 30 degrees to the .vertical, directly in front of the rolls 64 and 65,- preparatory to the fourth and last fold.

Fourth fold-Preferably and as shown, the instrumentality for making the fourth fold comprises a tucker-blade 66 mountedon the freeends of a pair of spaced swing arms 67 which are-pivotally mounted, as at 68, to the machine-frame 1. Means is provided for actuating the free ends of the arms 67 and the blade 66 forwardly to tuck the napkin between the rolls 64 and 65, and

making of the comprises a depending arm 68 fast at its upper end to the machine-frame and pivotally connected at its lower end to a subends-fast at an intermediate point to one of the spring arms 67 and its other end fast to a stationary part of the machine-frame, serves to maintain the blade 66 in retracted position with the'said arm in engagement with the stop-plate 72. The napkin, after its passage between the rolls 64 and 65, is deposited by the latter in the horizontal trough 73. Delivery ineclzanis-m-Prcferably andas shown, delivery mechanism, provided to carrythe napkins as they fall'into the trough 73 outwardly past the guardhooks 74 to an accessible position, comprises a packer 75 slidable in the trough 73 and carried on the end of a driving rod 76. Actuating means to reciprocate the packer in the trough 73 comprises an' arm 77 having pivotal'connection at one of its ends with the end of the driving rod 76 and being fast at its other end to the vertical shaft- 78 which is rotatably mounted as at 79 on-thc machine-framc 1. An arm 80, having one of its ends fast. to the top of the shaft 78, has pivotal connection at its other end in the form of a ball-joint 81. with the free end of the crank arm 82 which is pivotcdat its other end to the outerside and adjacent the periphery of the wheel 83 carried on the end of the camshaft '22. Upon rotation of the wheel 83, .1"eciprocatory movement is imparted to the crank arm 82 and through the arm 80, shaft'78 and arm 77 to the driving rod 76 which carries the packer 75 .Theguard= hooks 74 serve to protect tbe napkins from contact with the folding rolls 64 and 65, as the packer is timed in its movement to engage the napkins as soon as :they are deposited into the trough 73. a Driving meekanism-.Preferably, the driving mechanism comprises a belt driven by a suitable source of power, as an electric motor (not shown), which passes over the driving pulley 85 mount-ed on the end of a shaft 86 suitably journaled in the machineframe and carrying the roll 24 of the mechanism for making the first fold. The

roll 25 'is driven by means of cooperatine sprocket gear 90 which is operatively connected by means of a chain 91 to a similar although larger sprocket-wheel 92 mounted on a short shaft 93 having suitable bearin in the frame 1. Between the sprocket-whet; 92 and the frame, and also mounted on the stub-shaft 93, is a smaller driving sprocket- -whccl 9% which, 'through'the agency of an serves to drive the roll 39." The roll 40 is driven by means of. interengaging gearwhcels 101 and :2 mounted, respectively, on a shaft 100 and a shaft 103 which carries the roll 40. The chain 95 passes from the sprocket-wheel 96 over a similar wheel 104 on the end of a shaft 105.. This shaft, journaled in suitable hearings on the frame, carries on its other end a beveled gear 106 which, by its engagement with a beveled gear 107 at the lower end of a shaft 108, serves to drive the shaft 108 upon which is mounted the roll 53 The cooperating roll 54 is driven by the engagement of pinions 1'09 and 110 mounted on the shafts of the respective rolls. The chain 95 passes from the sprocket-gear 104 under a sprocket-gear 111 which is mounted on the end of a shaft 112 which passes through a suitable bearing mounted on the machine-frame 1 and having on its inner end a beveledgear 113 which engages a. beveled gear 114 to drive a shaft 115 on which the roll 64 is mounted, the roll being'driven from the shaft 115 by the interengagement of pinions 116 and 117 on the shafts of the respective rolls.

The chain 95 then-passes over an idler sprocket-gear 118. which is adjustably mounted on the frame 1 in order to serve as a chain ti htener, and upwardly over a large sproc liet-wheel 119 which ismountecl on the end of the maincam-shaft 20, and thence back over the sprocket-wheel 94. On the short shaft 93, exteriorly of the sprocketwhcel 92, is mounted a beveled gear 120 whichmeshes with a similar gear 121 on the .end of a vertical shaft 122, there being a small beveled gear 123 adjacent the top of the shaft 122 which engages with a large beveled gear 124 mounted on a horizontal shaft 125 which carries the measuring roll 5.

Preferably and as showmthe roll 6,'whic.h is carried by ashaft 126 journaled in supports 127 upstanding from the machineframe 1 at opposite sides thereof, is driven solely by the rotation of the roll 5. The lattcr is pressed downwardly by its own weight and by springs 128 which are positioned in the supports 127 with their opposite ends in engagement with the top plates 129 and the fore described; The cams 23, 34, 52, 60 and 70 extend radially from the shaft22 at the proper angles to consecutively actuate the cut-off mechanism, the first, second, third, and fourth tucker mechanisms in the order named upon each complete revolution of the shaft 22; i v

The three-sided bracket 14L upstanding from the auxiliary frame 2 has one end of tension arm.142 adjustabl connected thereto, the other end bearing own upon the-roll to retard movement thereof.

As the sheet of-materialis drawn from the supply roll by means of the feeding rolls, a su stantially square piece or napkin is severed therefrom by the cut-off mechanism, as it travels across the table into position over the first pair of 'rolls, to be directedltherebetween by the first tucker. The napkin is fed downwardly by the first roll and falls into position before the second set of rolls, to be directed therebetwecn by the second tucker.

Upon leaving these rolls, the napkin is guided downwardly at an angle of 30 degrees to I the horizontal, is stopped before the third set of rolls, and is directed between the latter by the third.t:ucker. The napkin then travels by gravity to its position before the last set of rolls and is t ucked the-rebetween by the fourth tucker, whereupon it falls into the delivery trough and is carried-awayfrom the last rolls by the delivery mecha nism. Y v.

What- I claim is: r

1. A web converting machine including a webfeeding mechanism, a mechanism for severing the web into sheets, and a plurality of sheet folding mechanisms operative successively upon each cut sheet, said mechanisms being so arranged that the out sheets fall by gravity from each folding mechanism to'the next succeeding mechanism.

2. A web converting machine including a web feeding mechanism, a cut-off mechanism operative to cut the web into sheets, a pinrality of sheet folding mechanisms so arranged that the cut sheets fall by gravity from each folding mechanismto the next succeeding mechanism, and means for directing the fall of the an; sheets to predetermme the position tl'iere'of with respectto a succeeding folding mechanism.

3. A napkin folding machine, including,

in combination, a cut-ofi' mechanism, a plu rality of. sheet-folding mechanisms, self-com tained means for supplying sheet material to the machine, and means for guiding the sevcred sheet in a fall by gravity from one folding mechanism'to another and, incidentally, 'to vary i sdangle in respect to the folding mechanisms for positioning it at different angles reparatory'to action by the succeedcarried by t ing fol g mechanism.

v4. A napkin folding machine, including,

in combination, a cut-off mechanism, a plurality of sheet-folding mechanisms operating successively to produce a dart-shaped napkin, self-contained means for supplying sheet material to the machine, and means for guiding the severed sheet a fall by gravity from one folding mechanism to another and incidentally to-vary its angle in respect to the folding mechanisms for positionin it at dilferent an les, preparatory succeeding olding mechanism.

5. In a web converting machine, a supframe including a web supporting table armed with aslot, a pair of coacting folding rolls mounted on'the frame beneath said table with their longitudinal axes -in alinement with the slot, means for feeding a web of material over the table in a direction acute to the bite of the foldin rolls, cut-off mechanism operative to transversely sever the web, and tucker mechanism operative to force the approximate center of the cut sheet through said slot into the bite of the rolls.

6. In a web converting machine, a suporting frame, a .pair of coacting horizontaly-disposed folding rolls mounted thereon, means for feeding a web of material over said rolls in a direction acute to the bite thereof, cut-off mechanism operative to transverselysever the web, tucker mechanisin operative to force the approximate center .of the cut sheet into the bite of the rolls, and a plurality of folding mechanisms e frame and successively oper utive on the cut sheet.

7. In a web converting machine, a supporting frame, a pair of coacting horizontalrespect to the bite thereof, and an actuator for the tucker blade.

8. In a webconverting machine, a supto action y the Msheets through said slot into the bite of the "cuttin rolls mounted thereon, a table mounted' above said rolls and having an elongated slot in alinemcnt with the bite thereof, means for feeding a web across the table in a direction acute to the bite of the rolls, mechanism for transversely severing the web into sheets. and tucker mechanism operative to force the approximate center of the cut sheets through said slot into-the bite of the rolls.

'9. In a web converting machine, a supporting frame, a pair of coacting horizontally-dispofed folding rolls mounted thereon, a table mounted above said rolls and having an elongated slot in alinement with the bite thereof, means for feeding a web across the table in a direction acute to-the bite of the rolls, mechanism for transversely severing the web into substantially rectangular sheets,

land tucker mechanism operative to force the approximate diagonal center of the cut rolls.

10. A na kin folding machine comprising a web fee ing mechanism, mechanismsfor the web into sheets, a plurality of sheet oldin mechanisms successively operative upon he cut sheets, each of said folding mechanisms including coasting rolls and a folder blade movable wits respect to the bite of the rolls, operating means for the web cutting means and. for each tucker blade, and cam means for-actuating each of said operating means in turn.

11. A machine for converting paper into napkins, including self-contained paper supply means, cut-ofi mechanism JllXtRPOSCLl thereto, a 'se ies of sheet-folding mechanisms operative siiccessively upon the cutsheets,

nnd means for moving a plurality of sheets through the machine into action thereon by the several folding mechanisms by gravity.

12. A web-convcrting machine including web-feeding mechanism, severing mechanism for cutting the .web into sheets, and a plurality of s icet-folding mechanisms operative successively upon each cut sheet, each folding mechanism efl'ectingthe folding of a sheet and also its advance in the machine independent of any other sheet-feeding mechanism.

13. A wcbconvcrting machine including web-fecding mechanism, severing mechanism for cutting the web into sheets, and a plurality of sheet-folding mechanisms operative successively upon each cut sheet, each folding mechanism effecting the folding of a sheetand also its advance in the machine independent of the feeding mechanism, the

advancing action of each folding mechanism aided by gravity being the sole means for effecting a feeding of the successive sheets through the machine.

14. A Web-converting machine including web-feeding mechanism, severing mechanism for cutting the web into sheets, and a plurality of sheet-folding mechanisms operative successively upon each cut sheet, each foldingmechanism effecting the folding of a sheetand also its advance in the machine independent of the feeding mechanism, -.the Several folding mechanisms being disposed relatively to effect further advancing of the cut sheet by gravity alone between each two of the folding mechanisms.

15. A web-converting machine including webfeeding mechanism, severing mechanism for cnttingthe web into sheets, and a plurality of sheet folding mechanisms operative successively irgon each cut sheet,.each folding mechanism e ecting the folding of a sheet and. also its advance in the machine indeadvancing of the cut sheet by gravity alone between each two folding mechanisms.

16. A Web-converting machine including web-feeding mechanism, severing mechanism for cutting the web into sheets, and a plural ity of sheetfolding mechanisms operative successively u on each cut sheet, each folding mechanism e ecting the folding of a sheet and also its advance in the machine independent of the feedin mechanism, the folding mechanisms being gisposed in relatively different horizontal planes to effect further advancing of the'cut sheet by gravity alone between each two folding mechanisms, and guiding means associated witlr'the foldin mechanisms to predetermine the position 0? a cut sheet in respect to a succeeding folding mechanism.

,pendent of the feeding mechanism, the folding mechanisms being disposed in relatively different horizontal planes to effect further In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

. CLIFTON O. GAMMELL. 

